Posts Tagged With: breastfeed

I’m going to try something new, Reaching out to moms from the community and around, I want to know your breastfeeding stories.

E-mail them with photo to dececco.km@gmail.com

My name is Rachel Gervais, I am 29 years old and I have two beautiful boys. I breastfed both children, however in very different ways.

In my mind, breastfeeding is the most natural and healthy choice for your child, I wanted to nurse my baby from day one; I wanted to provide my son with every ounce of liquid gold as possible. When I ended up having a C-section and a difficult recovery, I did not have the support of the nurses on shift and was too shy to ask for help. When I returned home I was blessed with nipple thrush, which is extremely painful when baby latches on. I spent many nights crying, feeling like I was doing my son wrong, that I couldn’t be a mom because I wasn’t able to breastfeed, I began pumping with many failed attempts of actual breastfeeding and although I only pumped for 6 months, it was the hardest and best decision of my life. I know that I provided him with all the liquid gold that I could. He is now a thriving almost 5 year old, full of spunk and love. Did I breastfeed him? NO! However I did give him my breast milk and that was important to me. Through this whole experience I was diagnosed with post partum depression, I believe the pumping helped me get through this tough time. Giving him breast milk wherever it may have come from was important to me.

Baby #2 comes along, this time I was determined to do it right!, Why I thought pumping wasn’t good enough, I will never know but with this baby I told myself I would ask for help, I would do this right!

It came natural, we had some latching issues but I asked for help from my doula, she was amazing, and that’s when my breastfeeding journey really started.

I became obsessed with breastfeeding; I wanted the world to know that this was a natural and okay thing. That providing your children with breast milk from your breast was normal. It’s amazing the amount of people who do not want to see another woman breastfeeding. I will never understand but will continue to advocate for those who chose to breastfeed, in public or at home. I breastfed my second child for 15 months when he chose to self wean. During this time I breastfed in public, covered and not. I had many people stare but I kept my head up and knew I was making the world more aware of how natural breastfeeding is.

My son was even breastfed by another woman, a really close friend. I was out of town for a night and my son wouldn’t take the bottle, She picked him up and nursed and comforted him, I was very grateful that I had her there to provide him what he needed at that moment. When I tell people about this I get a lot of mixed emotions, however I know that it was the right thing to do because I was so far away.

At one point when I was nursing my little guy a woman told me that I should cover up because her nephew was staring at me. This really upset me, how can you show someone not to be shy or awkward about breastfeeding if we hide from it from our children. I kindly told her that I would not cover up because it was important for me to teach him that breastfeeding was normal and that he should never feel uncomfortable seeing someone breastfeed.

How do we change this mentality? How can we make people aware that breast are for feeding our children? If people chose to breastfeed it should be their choice weather they breastfeed covered or not, in public or not. It’s normal, natural and very rewarding! Would I breastfeed again? Of course! When I see woman breastfeeding, I smile or tell them they are doing a great job, we need to support each other not tear each other down.

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What mother doesn’t miss this? The sleepy breastfeeding babe! So happy with the golden liquid that mother provides that he doesn’t even open his eyes.

This actually can become a frustrating moment for some mothers. When babe keeps falling asleep mid-feed and doesn’t complete a feed. This means that they will wake in half an hour with a strong hunger wanting more, only to fall asleep again soon after the latch.

How to remedy this?
When babe is a sleepy feeder and is not getting enough there are a few simple things to do to wake them.

1. Keep a damp cloth near by and wipe their eyes when they start to doze off.
2. Break the suction with your finger, this will often get baby to re-latch and start sucking again.
3. Undress baby- Keeping baby cool will often keep him awake for the feeding. It is hard to sleep when you are not warm and cozy.
4. Tickle and touch baby’s body.
5. Try a nice bath with baby.

If baby is still sleepy after you have tried all of the above, Leave him/her, Baby is probably very tired and needs his/her sleep.

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Working While breastfeeding seems like it can be such a difficult task. However mothers have been doing it for centuries, I have personally done the dishes while breastfeeding in a wrap, Vacuumed one handed, and done work on the computer while breastfeeding. Not every woman has the luxury of waiting a year to go back to work. Some places around the world only have short maternity leaves of 3 months. These women cart their babies to work all the time.

Contrary to what most believe, pediatricians are now acknowledging that baby’s first food should be a single vegetable or low sugar fruit, such as Avocado, sweet potato, or butternut squash. This is because these foods contain Vitamins, minerals and fats essential to a growing babies needs, and they are easy for baby to digest.

Is Baby Ready?
How do you know if your baby is ready to take those first few bites?
Baby is 4-6 months old.
Loss of tongue thrust motion. This is what helps prevent baby from choking before he/she is 4 months old.
Ability to let you know by turning head that he/she is full from the meal. Does he/she turn his/her head away from the bottle or breast when full?
Hold head unassisted.
Waking in the middle of the night more than usual. Please be aware that there is a growth spurt between 3-4 months of age, and baby will wake up often at that point too.

Introducing Solids
It is recommended that you wait until baby is 6 months of age, Until then babies digestive systems are unable to digest food properly. Ideally babies should have nothing but breast milk for the first 6 months of life.
It is important to introduce one food at a time, and continue with that food for 3-4 days before introducing a second food. This will help detect any allergies that baby may have.
Feed baby its first meals after baby wakes up, not before baby goes to bed. This way if baby has an allergic reaction to the food then you will be right there to see and react.
Stay calm, and happy. If baby refuses to take the food or does not react the way you expected don’t worry, put it away and try again another time.

It is recommended that babies not be started on solids until 6 months of age, however some babies seem to be ready at 4 months.CEREALS
Rice and oatmeal are the least allergenic of the cereals, try making your own by grinding up the rice/oats in a blender, magic bullet, or food processor. You do not have to start with cereal though, try avocado or sweet potato instead. Rice cereal may cause constipation.FRUITS
Avocado and banana’s are great introductory foods and never need to be cooked. After baby is 8 months, he/she can handle most raw fruit.VEGGIES
Veggies should always be cooked up until baby is 12 months old. Make sure that veggies are nice and soft so that baby does not choke.
PROTEIN
Always cook meat through. Do not give baby any meat or fish that is rare or uncooked. Delay the introductory of meat for babies. Chicken, Turkey and Tofu can be introduced after 6 months.DAIRY
Don’t replace breast milk or formula until after 12 months of age babies need dairy. Cows milk should not be introduced until 12 months of age, when introducing cows milk be sure to use homogenized milk not skim or 2%. There are other alternatives to cows milk, Goats milk is the closest to human breast milk and is easier on babies digestive system. Do not remove milk from babies diet, you can introduce a lower percent milk at 2 years of age.

RECIPE
6 month+
Avocado
This is a GREAT first food to introduce.
Baby will not eat lots of avocado, use the excess in a salad.
Vitamins: A, C, Niacin, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium

Cut avocado in half, lengthwise around the pit.

Slice into segments, then scoop out the meat.

Mash with fork.

To make thinner add breast milk.

Feed to baby.

Constipated baby?
Remember the four P’s Pears, Peaches Prunes, Plums, as well as Apricots, Spinach and Peas.
They all contain high fiber. Remember to give baby lots to hydrate, breast milk, or water.

Well if you have breastfed, you very likely already know the answer, Breast engorgement happens when your breasts are over filled with milk. This can be caused by a few things, One of them is the balance between supply and demand becomes disrupted. For some women it may happen when you first get your milk in, your baby takes a break from a feed, has a smaller appetite or you go on a trip.

Causes of SEVERE engorgement:

Not feeding baby often enough.

Baby not feeding well enough to empty the whole breast. Babies who are substituted with formula or water, will often not feed well.

Severe engorgement can cause problems such as latching, hungry baby, due to bad latch, cracked and sore nipples. Without treatment this can lead to mastitis; Breast infection and blocked ducts.

PREVENTING

To prevent engorgement, Feed baby often, Whenever he/she shows signs of hunger. Make sure baby is latching correctly. If you are unsure seek help from a lactation consultant or health nurse.

How to treat Engorgement.

Wear a bra that is not to tight.

After feeding take an advil, to relieve pain and swelling, ad ice/cold packs to your breasts.

Before a feeding use a warm cloth and massage breast to soften breasts, If needed pump a little milk out to help soften the breast. this will help babies latch.

If you have completed breastfeeding you can put a cold cabbage leaf in your bra. The chemicals from the leaf can slow down/ stop your milk flow.

Breastfeeding can be brilliant in so many ways. But here are the Selfish reasons why you should breastfeed.

Breastfeeding makes that baby weight FLY right off. Breastfeeding burns 500-600 calories a day, this means that you have reasons to snack all day long, and you will lose that weight extra fast. Breastfeeding within the first two weeks will help your uterus contract faster as well . CAN YOU SAY SKINNY JEANS

Money Money Money! Breastfeeding saves tonnes of cash, One can of formula costs $40.00 a baby can easily go through 1-2 cans a week. That’s a lot of pairs of shoes, some nice clothes.

Bye Bye Breast Cancer, Mama’s who breastfeed for 4-12 months have an 11% less chance of getting breast cancer, if mama breastfed for 24 months or more she has a 25% less chance of getting breast cancer.

Breast milk is always ready. This is SUPER great when you are forgetful, or when you are just plain lazy at that 2 am feed. All you have to do is pop the breast into baby’s mouth and go back to bed. I really enjoyed this one.

There is always an excuse to leave. When you are hanging around a bunch of people even if you are like me and always feed baby right infront of everyone no cover required…you can get away with saying that baby feeds better in the quiet and escape the group to go feed baby in a quiet room, relax and even have a little nap.

No prep required. Going out… You don’t need to pack bottles prepped with formula you just need to pack your boobs into a nice breastfeeding bra and you are ready to go.

I GOT BOOBS! For the first time in my life I have gorgeous breasts, they were large and plump. I loved them. Wish they didn’t have to go when I stopped breastfeeding. My husband even joked that they looked fake at one point. Fake boobs no plastic required…. I will take it!

No Sick Babies. Other than a stuffy nose at 3 months, neither of my kiddo’s got sick until they weaned themselves off of the breast. Dealing with sick kiddo’s is hard. I prefer them happy and healthy.

Diaper Doody. The Diapers from breastfed babies has a much more pleasant smell, and for the days when babies explode all over you, you will be thankful for the smell.

Breastfed babies are HAPPIER, Yes that’s the truth.Tthey tend to cry less, this is because they have less intestinal pains. Breastfed babies have less colic.

No Period. We all hate it ladies, and when you are breastfeeding, it is either a no show, or very light.

You can ask for stuff while feeding…. “Can someone get me a glass of water, I can’t move the baby is eating” Who would deny a woman feeding a baby.

Not the selfish kind, There are many more reasons to breastfeed, if these 12 are not enough check out 101 reasons to breastfeed http://www.notmilk.com/101.html